Title :
Ray analysis of low-grazing scattering from a breaking water wave
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK, USA
fDate :
11/1/1999 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Low-grazing-angle backscattering from a modeled breaking-wave surface profile has been calculated using a ray-optical approach and compared with reference scattering found using an extended moment method. The calculations show that interference between the direct backscatter from the breaking plume and multipath scattering between the plume and wave face can lead to the HH-to-VV polarization-backscattering ratios of greater than 9 dB that characterize sea-spike events. The multipath effects can be accurately predicted from simple reflection from the front face at the smallest grazing angles. At higher angles, diffraction from rapid changes in the surface curvature must also be considered
Keywords :
backscatter; ocean waves; oceanographic techniques; radar cross-sections; radar polarimetry; radar theory; remote sensing by radar; rough surfaces; backscatter; backscattering; breaker; breaking water wave; breaking-wave surface profile; calculation; grazing incidence; low angle; low-grazing scattering; measurement technique; model; multipath scattering; ocean wave; ocean wave breaking; polarization; radar polarimetry; radar remote sensing; radar scattering; ray analysis; ray-optical approach; sea surface; sea-spike event; Backscatter; Electromagnetic scattering; Optical reflection; Optical scattering; Optical surface waves; Radar scattering; Rough surfaces; Sea surface; Surface roughness; Surface waves;
Journal_Title :
Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on